My heart is there”, Albanian refugees from Ukraine dream of freedom

Two women from Ukraine of Albanian origin who live in Germany as refugees from war about two years ago. Speaking of Radio Free EuropeBoth say they dream of freedom of Ukraine, until they have created lives in Germany and are trying to establish ties with the Albanian community there.

A large bus of many Ukrainians is the last reminder Katarina Larina is from where she was born and grew up.

On April 1, 2022, about a month after Russia began its extensive invasion of Ukraine, it was able to join the column of refugees who fled to other European countries.

For about two years now, she is living in the city of Erfurt, Germany.

Before the war, Katarina resided in the village of Karakurt in the Odessa region in southern Ukraine, where a large community of Albanian origin lives.

These Albanians are believed to have moved to Ukraine from Albania's Korca area and other Balkan areas hundreds of years ago.

Most have preserved Albanian language and traditions, though with a dialect different from the standard Albanian use today.

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When [the war] began on February 24,... [people] were very scared. I have work here [in Germany]. I work at pizza, make cooking, and just teach the German [language].

This 57-year-old shows that she had come to Germany with her daughter, 33.

Her daughter, however, returned to Ukraine a year later, wanting to stay close to her husband, who had no right to leave Ukraine because of the war law.

I mean, I think every day. I fear for her (girl)”, she says.

Katharina plans to remain in Germany for the time being until the end of the war, although she misses her homeland.

My heart is there (in Ukraine)... Here's another world, there's another world. (There), I have the world opener, the most closed here”

Katarina, now 10 months is learning German. She has started working at a pizza in her town, where she shows she has met two Albanians from Kosovo.

She says that she talks to them every day so that she can practice Albanian.

I, when I told them that I am Albanian, [were surprised]. “Katarina? You Albanian? I told you: “I'm Albanian”... And, I got to ask [what you say to words], hudder-bolder, onions... and such words, and they say to me: “Very well, you kept your tongue...” I say: “Okay”.

The war in Ukraine has already claimed the lives of over 10,000 civilians, while millions more have been forced to move in and out of their own country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin calls war “special military operation” to demilitarise Ukraine.

The West has responded to Russia, striking the economy of this state with severe sanctions.

Even the Odessa region, where Katarina comes from, has been hit by ongoing Russian attacks.

My son asks me: Mom, when are we going back to Ukraine?

Nelly Syupyur, co-placent of Katarina, also of Albanian origin, has been living in Germany for two years.

She had fled to the beginning of the war in Ukraine, along with her son, who was then three years old.

“man sometimes says: Mom, when we're going back to Ukraine, when we're going to Ukraine, I want to go to sea<x1...

When he left Ukraine, this professional dancer left behind more than his career.

Her husband, a retired military man, stayed in Ukraine after he again joined the army on the front line.

The goods and fears of man's safety in war were fired only at the beginning of 2017 when her husband came to Germany with special permission.

His mother was alone (in Ukraine) and she was very old and sick. He couldn't walk. The man took his mother and came to Germany”, relates Syupyur.

Nelly says he'll return to Ukraine when his mother does better and that's why she's prepared.

“ (Taqim) was very emotional. The boy held his hand firmly. He said: Dad, I'm gonna wake up tomorrow and you're not gonna be here, you're going to war”, Nelley says.

According to her, the husband has several health problems, but she is happy “that is alive”.

This 45-year-old says she has been willing to visit Ukraine for two years now, but has been afraid of her and her son's safety.

I can say that I understand here that we must do something to have Ukrainian victories, to end this war, to end this” war.

Nellie has already slowly resumed her dance career in Germany.

Its hostage, however, are plans ahead of the start of the war to make projects related to Albanian culture and Albania.

I want here to find Albanians, organisations, who can help me, connect and build up Albania's culture, dance, do something. It could be a small project. I [understand] that there is no financing for major projects for Albanian culture. ”

She has found contact with several Albanian families in Germany, but says she wants to learn more Albanian.

I don't have much practice (for language). It's not easy to speak Albanian”, Nellie says.

In the past she had lived for a short time in Albania, where her son Erwin was born.

On Saturday, February 24, it takes two years since Russia began its unprotested and illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine's president, Voldymyr Zelensky, has recently called on the American Congress to pass a 60 billion-dollar package of aid to his country to defend against Russia's invading forces, saying that “this is a cheaper alternative than the consequences of a Russian win”.